On Becoming A Fairtrade Diocese
The diocesan council has approved a motion that we work to become a Fairtrade Diocese.
If you are in any doubt about what this means, checkout www.fairtrade.ie, and then http://www.ardaghdiocese.org/page45.html . See what our friends in Ardagh diocese are doing, and be aware its not unheard of for a bishop to suggest that Christians should ONLY buy Fairtrade chocolate ! (bearing in mind man can’t actually live on chocolate alone)
Closer to home checkout http://www.cinews.ie/article.php?artid=2733 the first Irish Fairtrade parish. It’s in Cork !
Specifically, what is required is:-
The parish always serves Fairtrade Coffee/Tea at meetings/events
The parish promotes Fairtrade to parishioners especially during Fairtrade Fortnight (Feb 25th- Mar 9th) in some practical way
Schools in the parish use the Fairtrade educational materials available from www.fairtrade.ie (there are more see www.dubble.co.uk ), and FT is part of the curriculum at national and secondary levels already)
In addition it is suggested that a member of the congregation join with the local Fairtrade Town committee where there is one.
Other actions might include:-
1 Set up a Fairtrade Town committee if there isn’t one (ask for help)
2 Promote Fairtrade in the local media (papers/radio/school newsletters etc)
3 Approach other churches to work together on events or promotions
4 Include Fairtrade in prayers, and teaching (Sunday school kids love it!)
5 Show the Black Gold FT coffee movie
Immediately you can get involved in the activity that will happen nationwide during Fairtrade Fortnight.
If each parish was able to make the effort required (maybe it’s a project for Lent) we could celebrate at the Diocesan Synod later in the spring.
Ask yourself what God would say about this….then let’s act accordingly !
_________________________________________________________________________________